Plants respond to
developmental cues and environmental stresses by controlling both the
level and activity of various hormones. A highly adaptable scaffold
enables the evolution of promiscuous activity within the
auxin-responsive GH3 enzyme family, leading to diversification of
substrate specificity and evolution of metabolic control systems.
Newly reported crystal structures provide a glimpse into substrate
recognition and control of hormones involved in plant growth,
development, and defense, enabling deeper understanding of plant
metabolism intricacies. The research was conducted using resources at
the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.
Reference: Westfall, C. S., et al. 2012. “Structural
Basis for Prereceptor Modulation of Plant Hormones by GH3
Proteins,” Science 336, 1708–11. (Reference link)
Contact: Roland F. Hirsch, SC-23.2, (301) 903-9009
Topic Areas:
Division:
SC-33.2 Biological Systems Science Division, BER
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